OMG STUPID DOG!!! + avgalemono

So I noticed that Rasputin was chewing on something.... and it was the fermentation lock from one of my two batches of cider! ARGH!!!!! luckily she hadn't chewed on the stopper too much so I rinsed it off and made a little baggie of plastic wrap since I was lacking a baloon and have it temporarily covered... hopefully she didn't slobber in it too much, so we won't have weird doggie yeast fermentataion.

I did my own avgolemono recipe based on a bunch I saw on-line and here it is:

1 C 2% milk
1 Ts cornstarrch
3 egg yolks
2 cans chicken broth
1/3 C orzo pasta
1/4 Ts butter
dried dill weed to taste (+ added color)
juice of one medium lemon
1/2 lemon rind & zest, grated
pepper to taste

I combined the cornstarch and milk, whisked inthe three egg yolks, then set aside. Then I cooked the orzo in the chicken broth for about 9 minutes (until done but not mush). Remove from heat, add in milk mix, return to heat, then stir until thickens somewhat, add in butter, lemon juice and rind, mix, and serve. Note, this was very tasty when served right away, but it does thicken up a lot and the orzo soak up quite a bit of soup when left for a few hours, so less orzo if you are expecting leftovers or to not serve it right away. Not low fat, but one could use an entire egg and be all right I think - the egg yolks add color but so does the lemon. Also, the butter really doesn't seem needed to me - I tried it bcause it seemed standard. Maybe next time I will try a low/less fat version. Yet another note, hansan is not an avgalemono fan so I guess this is a Vandy and mom treat and will probabaly stay as a lunch item rather than dinner... It took maybe half an hour for me to do all the prep and cooking when I was not in a hurry.

A research contest started by me!

I remember someone at Kingdom A&S (ornerie?) mentioning that there was a picture of a ball (possibly juggling ball) in the Museum of London books. The first person to email me a picture and a citataion with all relevant info gets one of my uber cool if modern glass pumpkins at twelfth night. My email is vandy@vandybennett.com. If you get me a pic second or third etc, but before I post that I recieved the info, you get some of my yummy candied ginger dipped in chocolate at twelfth night, or some other yummy if you don't like chocolate or ginger.

Additionally, anyone who gets me any other picture of extant medieval/renaissance/ancient juggling balls or balls/ball of a juggleable size with appropriate citations gets a cool prize.

And saving the best for last, anyone who gets me an image from a medieval or renaissance illuminated manuscript that shows someone juggling and has appropriate citataions gets a blown glass of their choice of style (assuming it is within my ability) once my glass shop is up and running.

This is sort of like paying research assistants but cheaper and more fun. ;-)